People We Love

Today's guest is actor, writer, singer, and songwriter, Karen Roberts.  Former lead singer of the awesome ska band Chase Long Beach, Karen talks about her epic and ultimately tragic story of romance, love, and friendship with saxophone player, Scott Schipper. To describe it as a tragedy when Scott passed away in 2013 way too soon at age 29 from Colon cancer will always be an understatement... But Scott didn’t leave this world without making a profound impact on all those who crossed his path, including Karen. He always lit up the room with his presence, and his music too. This is quite the personal and candid interview.

https://instagram.com/youknowkarenroberts/

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today comedian, writer, and actor, Avra Friedman joins me. This fast talking lady is certainly a character, but how many characters is she exactly?... I'm not quite sure. But we dive into it. Wanting to be a performer since age 6, her parents MADE her go to college. So of course she just headed straight to acting school, at NYU. Avra's been on TV and she’s opened for Tim Allen. But before then, she grew up on Saturday Night Live, and her favorite has always been the hilarious Kristen Wiig. And Avra thanks Kristen for all the inspiration. Enjoy this one, and remember, it’s Ah-vra... pronounced like Ahh-vocado.

https://instagram.com/avrafriedman/

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today's guest is actor, singer/songwriter, performer, and former cosmetologist, Brittany Rizzo. Originally from from Las Vegas, NV she decided to move to Los Angeles after booking her first role on Disney's Wizards of Waverly Place. Sharing an equal love for acting as she does music, she tells me the whole crazy story of landing a role SINGING ALONGSIDE JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE in a national Target commercial. We talk acting, music, the struggles, and the successes. Britney even shares some music with us (her beautiful song, "October")... And of course, we talk all things Justin Timberlake.

https://instagram.com/brittany_rizzo/

https://peoplewelovepodcast.com/

Today's guest is Jonathan Unger. He was most recently Director of Current Series and Live Events at E! But this guy really has done it all, both as a TV producer and an executive. We chat about working on award shows, on red carpets, developing TV shows, and producing live events… And of course we talk about his dog, Sis, and the great, Carol Burnett, who Jonathan grew up watching on TV... and then had the pleasure of working with later in life. In response to what it was like to work with Carol Burnett he recalls, "Every moment was a pinch me moment."

instagram.com/jonathanaunger

peoplewelovepodcast.com

Born and raised in Kuwait to Filipino and Indian parents who were in the medical industry, today's guest Satya Vanii decided to do the one thing that would make her parents most distraught… become an actor and comedian in Los Angeles. Growing up in Kuwait, censorship was very much a part of her life. But one show she was able to catch though at a very young age was Donny & Marie. Yes the Osmonds. Pretty much then and there is when Satya knew she wanted performing and entertaining to be part of her life. Satya tells me all about her life and also all about the time she was ON STAGE WITH DONNY OSMOND during a Christmas special a few years back at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. And what an amazing story that was.

https://www.instagram.com/sassysatya/

https://peoplewelovepodcast.com/

He may be short in stature and a former high school cheerleader, but you definitely do NOT want to mess with this dude. Now residing in Los Angeles, Kyle Smith tells me all about growing up in New Orleans, helping rebuild homes after Hurricane Katrina, and so much more. Kyle is a poet and comedian, and an expert martial artist (Tae Kwon Do), so he can definitely destroy you with his words or with his physical ability. And we both share a love for rapper, Eminem. Eminem’s music has definitely helped get us both through some tough times throughout our lives, and for that we both appreciate Mr. Marshall Mathers very much.

https://www.instagram.com/maniacalmenace

https://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today I'm joined by actor, writer, and comedian Kerstin Porter who tells me all about her life and career, which has been filled with tons of travel. Originally from Northern California, she's also lived in San Diego, Santa Cruz, New York, London, Seattle, and Los Angeles. Probably other places too she told me that I'm not recalling at the moment. But in NY, that's where Kerstin first met comedian and actor Nicole Byer who inspired her and basically TOLD Kerstin to start taking improv and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade. And Kerstin is definitely thankful for Nicole’s encouragement, which was really a turning point in life for her.

http://kerstinporter.com

https://www.nicolebyerwastaken.com/

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today's guest is comedian and actor, Theo Manhattan. Originally from Rochester, Minnesota and now living in Los Angeles, Theo joins me to tell me all about growing up pretty poor, playing in a heavy metal band, how he got into comedy, and also his love for Seinfeld co-creator and Curb Your Enthusiasm star, Larry David. Theo is a funny guy with some crazy ass-stories that you’ll just have to tune in to hear for yourself.

Theo Manhattan: https://instagram.com/themostrelatableman/

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today I'm joined by San Diego, California based 17 YEAR OLD musician Piatt Pund, who tells me all about his life and music. He's been playing classical violin since age 4, and is also accomplished in the styles of bluegrass and jazz. He’s been singing since 10 and playing guitar since 13. Currently in many bands and groups that cover a wide range of musical styles, we get into all of it... including a discussion about OUR favorite guitar player, Derek Trucks and his band, Tedeschi Trucks Band (TTB talk begins at the 43:20 mark into the episode). Having just met Piatt Pund less than a week about the Tedeschi Trucks Band show in San Diego, this one came together rather quickly! And I'm glad it did. Enjoy.

http://piattpund.com

http://tedeschitrucksband.com

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com

Today I'm joined by actor and filmmaker James Tang, who tells me all about growing up Thailand in quite the international community. His dad was a "home theater guy" who mostly just wanted to show off his sound system... Little did dad know that this would plant a seed that would lead James to… well… Hollywood. Oh, and James also ran his dad’s custom golf club shop in Miami for a couple of years, an invaluable life experience for him... We cover it all, acting, golf, Thailand, and family. Enjoy!

http://jamesthetang.com

http://peoplewelovepodcast.com